More than 100 masterpieces, showcasing “the birth of the Shanghai School” and Huangpu District
The Paper
If Shanghai is the birthplace and center of modern Shanghai-style visual art, then Huangpu District is undoubtedly the most important piece of the puzzle in Shanghai-style art. For over 100 years since Shanghai opened as a treaty port, Huangpu District has witnessed the development of various aspects related to Shanghai-style visual art, including Chinese calligraphy and painting, Western painting, advertising design, and art publishing. The Yu Garden Calligraphy and Painting Charity Association, as well as modern organizations such as the Tianma Society, the Jue Lan Society, and the Shanghai Cartoon Society, were all active in Huangpu District.
The Paper learned that the special art exhibition “The Birth of the Shanghai School: Huangpu in Visual Art” opened on October 20 at the Hu Wensui Art Museum in Shanghai. The exhibition presents the colorful evolution of Shanghai School visual art in Huangpu over the past century through a variety of means, including original works by more than 100 famous artists over the past 100 years, as well as documentary images and plot settings.
More than 100 masterpieces, showcasing “the birth of the Shanghai School” and Huangpu District.
Exhibition site
According to Zhang Lixing, the curator of this exhibition, among the calligraphy and painting societies from the late Qing Dynasty to modern times, the one with the widest social influence, the largest number of members, the longest duration, and the greatest role in promoting the development of Shanghai-style art in later generations is undoubtedly the “Yuyuan Calligraphy and Painting Charity Association,” established in the old city of Huangpu. The “Yuyuan Calligraphy and Painting Charity Association” was founded in 1909, with its headquarters located in the Deyuelou Pavilion of Yuyuan Garden in present-day Huangpu District. In the history of Shanghai’s visual arts development, many famous Western painting societies and institutions, such as the Tianma Society and Juelan Society (advocating modern art), private studios like Chongren Studio, Hading Studio, and Mengguang Studio, as well as China’s first modern cartoon creation society—the Cartoon Society (Shanghai Cartoon Society)—were active in Huangpu District.
More than 100 masterpieces, showcasing “the birth of the Shanghai School” and Huangpu District.
Exhibition site
This exhibition approaches the subject from three dimensions, divided into three sections. The first section, “Inheriting the Past and Ushering in the Future,” uses the “Yu Garden Calligraphy and Painting Charity Association” as its central hub to reflect the cultural lineage and development of Shanghai-style calligraphy and painting art in Huangpu District. This section primarily features over 40 artworks, including precious original works by artists such as Ren Bonian, Xu Gu, Yu Yue, Li Ruiqing, Wu Changshuo, Shen Yinmo, Qian Huian, Pu Hua, Fu Baoshi, Liu Haisu, Xu Beihong, Wang Zhen, Wu Hufan, Wang Fu’an, Zheng Wuchang, and Xie Zhiliu. It showcases the significant role of modern, contemporary, and renowned calligraphers and painters who have left their mark on Huangpu District in promoting Shanghai-style calligraphy and painting art.
More than 100 masterpieces, showcasing “the birth of the Shanghai School” and Huangpu District.
“Winter Plum Blossoms of India” (ink and color on paper) by Wu Changshuo, 1920
More than 100 masterpieces, showcasing “the birth of the Shanghai School” and Huangpu District.
“Chrysanthemums by the Fence and Autumn Chickens” Ink and color on paper, Ren Bonian, 1876
Founded in 1909, the Yuyuan Calligraphy and Painting Charity Association was initiated by Yao Hong, Huang Jun, Wang Kun, Gao Yong, and others. Qian Huian was elected as its president, and members included Wu Changshuo, Wang Yiting, Cheng Yaosheng, Huang Shanshou, Pu Hua, Shen Xinhai, Yang Yi, and many other prominent calligraphers and painters of the time. Like other calligraphy and painting organizations, the Yuyuan Calligraphy and Painting Charity Association held regular meetings to appreciate works, exchange artistic techniques, and organize annual exhibitions. It also collected membership fees, set prices, and accepted commissions. However, unlike other calligraphy and painting organizations, the Yuyuan Calligraphy and Painting Charity Association was also a charitable organization, emphasizing the concept of “charity.”
More than 100 masterpieces, showcasing “the birth of the Shanghai School” and Huangpu District.
Seven-character couplet in running script, “Night Rain Clears Up,” ink on paper, by Li Ruiqing
More than 100 masterpieces, showcasing “the birth of the Shanghai School” and Huangpu District.
Four-panel calligraphy scroll in running script by Zeng Xi (on paper)
Therefore, the “Yuyuan Calligraphy and Painting Charity Association” can be said to be an important pivotal organization for the Shanghai School of calligraphy and painting, which not only carried forward the functions and spirit of previous Shanghai School art organizations, but also extended its influence to this day. The works of Shanghai School calligraphers and painters exhibited in this section are not only precious original works, but also documentary images, which clearly outline the artistic styles of Shanghai School calligraphers and painters who had direct and indirect relationships with the “Yuyuan Calligraphy and Painting Charity Association” and Huangpu District in different periods.
More than 100 masterpieces, showcasing “the birth of the Shanghai School” and Huangpu District.
Six-character couplet in running script, “Enjoying the view with hands tucked in sleeves,” ink on paper, by Wu Hufan.
Huangpu District was once a major center for modern Western painting in the development of visual arts in Shanghai. Many renowned Western painting societies and institutions, national art academies, and former residences of artists were gathered here. From the Tianma Society and Juelan Society, which advocated modern art, to private studios such as Chongren Studio, Hading Studio, and Mengguang Studio, to the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts and Xinhua Academy of Fine Arts before the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and even to the former residences of Liu Haisu and Lin Fengmian, all have witnessed and participated in the development of the Shanghai School of Art.
The second section, “Integration of Chinese and Western Art,” showcases original Western paintings, signed prints, and high-resolution reproductions equivalent to the originals by artists such as Liu Haisu, Yan Wenliang, Pang Xunqin, Zhu Dequn, Wu Guanzhong, Zao Wou-Ki, and Li Yongsen. These renowned artists, embodying the theme of “Integration of Chinese and Western Art,” have either resided in Huangpu District, taught at art schools in Huangpu District, participated in art societies in Huangpu District, established their creative and educational bases in Huangpu District, or held exhibitions in art galleries, museums, and art spaces in Huangpu District. They have intricate connections with Huangpu District and are powerful witnesses to the development of visual arts in Huangpu District. This section also uses detailed documentary photographs to recreate the landscape of art institutions, art schools, art media, art publishing, and art dissemination in Huangpu District, especially before the founding of the People’s Republic of China.